On May 23, Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) Deputy Director of Product and External Affairs Amina Baikenova participated in the panel discussion “Kazakhstan as an AI Hub: Ambition or Utopia?” during Beetech Conf 2026 held at NARXOZ University in Almaty.
Beetech Conf is one of Kazakhstan’s largest annual IT conferences, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from across the technology ecosystem. This year’s conference focused on how artificial intelligence is being integrated into real engineering, product, and management practices, with dedicated tracks in Engineering, Data & AI, and Management.
The panel discussion explored whether Kazakhstan can realistically become a regional AI hub and examined the opportunities and challenges facing the country’s growing AI ecosystem. Topics included the scalability of Kazakhstani AI startups, the availability of infrastructure and talent, the role of investment and venture capital, cloud versus local AI infrastructure, and the global competitiveness of regional AI companies. According to the event organizers, the discussion was designed to be open, candid, and highly interactive, encouraging debate and the exchange of diverse perspectives.
The panel was moderated by Anuar Makashev and featured leading representatives from Kazakhstan’s AI and startup ecosystem, including Arman Suleimenov, Askhat Adkhamov, and Alexey Sharavar.
During the discussion, Amina Baikenova shared ISSAI’s perspective on the importance of developing local AI expertise, supporting research-driven innovation, and building sustainable AI infrastructure in Kazakhstan. She also highlighted the role of academic institutions and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing practical AI solutions and strengthening the country’s technological competitiveness.
The event served as a platform for open dialogue among founders, researchers, corporate leaders, and ecosystem representatives actively shaping the future of AI in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.